Microbial diversity of the Tecozautla geyser, Mexico

Abstract

In this research, the thermophilic microbial composition of samples from four areas of the Tecozautla geyser, Hidalgo, Mexico, was studied. The samples were: sediments (GD), salt deposits (GA), and microbial mats (GB and GC). Sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene amplicons was carried out, obtaining 1,425,506 readings. Bioinformatic analysis identified 32 phyla in the four samples being the most representative for the GA Armatimonadetes, Chloroflexi, Cyanobacteria, and Thermi. For the GB, they were Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Cyanobacteria, Spirochaetes, Thermi, and Firmicutes. For the GC were observed the phyla Chloroflexi, Armatimonadetes, Proteobacteria, Cyanobacteria, and Acidobacteria. Finally, for the GD, the most abundant phyla were Chloroflexi, Cyanobacteria, Armatimonadetes, Proteobacteria, and Nitrospirae. The metabolic functionality of the microbial communities present in the samples was inferred using the 16S rRNA amplicons. This work represents the first report of the microbial communities present in the Tecozautla geyser.